Does anyone use these....

lmliess

I am 6 weeks out from my liver resection and my doc said at that iont I could start

'supplementing' again. Just wondering if anyone uses wheatgrass, probiotics and EFA's? Also do you use them during chemo?

Shayenne

The...
....only thing my doctor told me to take during chemo, was a multi-vitamin (like Women's Day), Iron, and Vitamin B Complex, because it has all the Vitamin B's in it...I actually started using Milled Flax seed in everything as well...I add it too anything, and it just doesn't taste like anything, it just takes on the taste of whatever you're putting it in, but it's supposed to be good for you

PhillieG

Not I
but if your Onc says OK, then I guess it's OK.
Mine did not want me taking anything or if I did, she wanted to know about it.
-phil

Shayenne

PhillieG said:

Not I
but if your Onc says OK, then I guess it's OK.
Mine did not want me taking anything or if I did, she wanted to know about it.
-phil

Right...
I actually asked my onc if I should be taking supplements, like Potassium, and all that, and she even told me "Milk" if I could tolerate it would be great as well for the protein, I wouldn't even take anything unless she told me too.

Hatshepsut

Shayenne said:

The...
....only thing my doctor told me to take during chemo, was a multi-vitamin (like Women's Day), Iron, and Vitamin B Complex, because it has all the Vitamin B's in it...I actually started using Milled Flax seed in everything as well...I add it too anything, and it just doesn't taste like anything, it just takes on the taste of whatever you're putting it in, but it's supposed to be good for you

Diet and Cancer
Hello.

When my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006, we had been vegetarian (but not low fat vegetarian) for almost 20 years. After his surgery (which was long and very tough given that he was in his 80s), my husband developed heart complications post-operatively and during chemotherapy. Rather than submit to the recommended invasive heart procedure, we opted to change cardiologists and work with a renowned cardiologist who was familiar with and sympathetic to complementary medicine (in our case major low-fat dietary/exercise/relaxation changes). As with all things relating to my husband's cancer, we cleared everything with his oncologist and together we watched my husband's weight very carefully. The dietary changes we made followed my discovery of Dr. Ornish and his medical research group, The Preventive Medicine Research Institute. Dr. Ornish's original research studies focused on heart health but more recently his group has focused attention on cancer and diet as well.

Our experience is anecdotal, of course, but my husband's heart health improved greatly and he also stayed strong enough to fight his cancer through two subsequent surgeries. He also was able to keep his weight pretty steady during the chemotherapy phase of his treatment. Cooking is an avocation for me but I do have to tell you that removing most of the added fat from one's cooking takes time and determination. I'm happy to report that as of May 2009, my husband's CT scans showed no signs of cancer although he was originally diagnosed as stage III and that diagnosis was later raised to stage IV.

I don't know how to properly post a link here, but (if they work) here are two net addresses you might like to access for information. The first address should take you to a Lancet article about cancer and lifestyle changes. As I'm sure you know Lancet is a respected major source regarding cancer (and other medical) research. The second address takes you to The Preventive Medicine Research Institute site. That site has good information and some excellent very very low fat recipes.

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470204508702341/abstract?iseop=true

http://www.pmri.org/about.html

In answer to your original question, we haven't used wheatgrass but we do eat a good deal of soy yogurt.

Wishing you great good health.

Hatshepsut

kimby

Supplements
I take all kinds of supplements due to a malabsorbtion condition, yes, with my onc approval. Because of my unusual situation I won't comment on those. What I would like to address is probiotics. I have found them to be extremely helpful both with bowel issues as well as mouth issues. You want a good probiotic found in the refrigerated section of your health food store. I get mine at Whole Foods. The more bacteria in it the better and you will pay more for it, too. I actually get the uncapsulated and put the powder right in my mouth twice a day. It isn't as nice as a capsule but helps with my mouth issues more effectively.

As others have said, please approve anything you take with your onc prior to beginning.

HTH,

Kimby

lesvanb

supplements/complementary therapy
I worked closely with my naturopath and acupuncturist all through my treatments. If you are going to be taking oxaliplatin for chemo, L-glutamine, B6, B12, are very helpful. I also take EPA plus probiotics. I think all helped minimize my side effects.